President Uhuru Kenyatta at a past event. He has been warned against infringing on media freedom. [Photo/nation.co.ke]
Former National Assembly Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim has cautioned President Uhuru Kenyatta's government against infringing on media rights and freedom.Maalim argues that Uhuru is setting a bad record by infringing on the freedom of the media.Speaking to journalists in Garissa Town on Sunday, the former Lagdera MP warned that the government decision to shut dome some TV stations over Raila Odinga's swearing-in was ill-advised.He said the Jubilee administration needs the media to achieve its development agenda."The Jubilee government should respect the media freedom if it wants to actualise its development agenda and ensure stability in the country," he said.The former deputy speaker warned that the country is trading on slippery grounds if the rights and freedom of the media are not respected.He said some people in the Jubilee government could be misadvising the president in regards to media freedom.Maalim who unsuccessfully vied for the Garissa MP seat in last year’s polls said that many countries that experience anarchy often start with violating the rights and freedom of the media.The Wiper party deputy leader also slammed the Jubilee administration for ignoring a court order suspending the shutdown of the three TV stations.He said the failure by Jubilee government to honour the court order is setting a bad precedent in the rule of law.Last week, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i said that the shut TV stations will be given signal to broadcast only after the investigation into Raila's Tuesday inauguration is complete.Civil society groups and journalists are planning major demonstrations starting Monday (today) to protest against the media crackdown.
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